The home side were on the verge of missing out on the point they needed but grabbed the equaliser in the dying seconds when Waston headed home a cross from Bryan Ruiz.

Honduras is still in the hunt for a top-four finish, now fifth with nine points, just behind on goal differential to the United States in fourth.

Waston, who appeared like a giant, a head taller than the other players grouped in front of the goal, with one minute to go to official end the game, when the fans, at the stadium, at home, wherever, perhaps even the players themselves, had lost the hope of celebrating the World Cup 2018 qualifications, Kendall jumped up, smacked the ball with is forehead, a bullet into the Honduras net.

The fourth-place nation advances to a home-and-home playoff next month against Australia or Syria.

The draw also sees Panama remain in the playoff position in CONCACAF on 10 points, level with Honduras which could have jumped up to fourth had the side been able to hang on for the win. This result allowed the team Oscar Ramires ahead of time to qualify for the world Cup.

France's third-minute goal in Bulgaria was enough for a 1-0 win to retain the Group A lead by one point from Sweden, which earlier routed Luxembourg 8-0.